For Immediate Release:
September 22, 2015
609-530-4280
Contact: Steve Schapiro
Kevin Israel
Dan Triana
NJDOT launches Papal Visit Twitter account to keep motorists
informed about road conditions this weekend
Mass Transit best option for traveling to Philadelphia for the events
(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the launch of a
special Twitter account – @511NJ_Papal – to keep motorists informed of traffic conditions during the
Papal Visit to Philadelphia this weekend, September 26 and 27.
“With estimates of a million or more people traveling to Philadelphia to see the Pope this weekend, New
Jersey roads are expected to experience heavy congestion. To help motorists make informed decisions on
the best routes to choose, NJDOT created the Twitter account @511NJ_Papal that will provide real time
traffic updates in the South Jersey area,” NJDOT Commissioner Jamie Fox said. “With the Ben Franklin
Bridge closed from Friday night until Monday afternoon, we are reminding people to plan ahead and to
avoid unnecessary travel in the area. For more information, visit www.PopeNJ.com.”
The @511NJ_Papal feed will Tweet real time traffic conditions on all state roads in Mercer, Burlington,
Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic and Salem counties to help followers make informed decisions and avoid
congestion as best as possible during the Papal visit. It is similar to the 511nj Twitter accounts launched in
August, which feature 24/7 real time traffic information for 18 specific state highways.
In addition, subscribers to @511NJ_Papal will get real time information about the Delaware Memorial
Bridge, Commodore Barry Bridge, Walt Whitman Bridge, Ben Franklin Bridge, Tacony Palmyra Bridge and
the Betsy Ross Bridge. To subscribe to the account go to: https://twitter.com/511NJ_Papal
This Twitter account is one-way automated information feeds from New Jersey’s 511 service and are not
consistently monitored by NJDOT. It is provided as a convenience and is not intended for receiving
feedback, comments, or event reports.
Motorists can visit the 511NJ Papal Visit page to view a map with real time traffic information, travel times
in and around the Philadelphia Region as well as links to other transportation agencies supporting the
Pope’s visit. The 511NJ Papal Twitter Feed will be active now through September 30, 2015.
New Jersey law makes it a primary offense for motorists to talk on or text message with a hand-held
wireless telephone or electronic communication device while driving. NJDOT encourages all motorists to
make use of these real-time travel alert services safely and responsibly.
1 Plan Ahead, Use Mass Transit
If you plan to attend any of the festivities in New York or Philadelphia this week, mass transit will be your
best option. For information about NJ TRANSIT Service for the Papal Visit to New York or Philadelphia go
to www.NJTRANSIT.com/papal.
NJ TRANSIT is the best option to get into Philadelphia to attend the events – either on the Atlantic City
Rail Line direct to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station or The River LINE to the Walter Rand Transportation
Center where you can transfer to PATCO or walk across the Ben Franklin Bridge. If you plan to take NJ
TRANSIT you’ll need to buy your tickets in advance, so don’t delay.
New York
On Friday, September 25 when the Pope is in New York, event-goers should plan their trip ahead of time,
arrange to travel off-peak when possible, and purchase round-trip tickets in advance. Large crowds are
anticipated along with expected delays and enhanced security measures during this period.
When returning to New Jersey in the evening on September 25, customers should be prepared for longer
wait times especially immediately following the Papal Mass at Madison Square Garden. Commuters may
want to consider other options such as the PATH or ferry service to Hoboken to connect to NJ TRANSIT
trains.
Additional rail service will operate during off-peak to Penn Station New York, as well as enhanced bus
service to Port Authority Bus Terminal throughout the day. NJ TRANSIT ambassadors who are
knowledgeable about travel information will be on hand to assist customers at major terminals.
Philadelphia
On Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, mass transit will be the best option to get into
Philadelphia, and you must buy your tickets in advance.
NJ TRANSIT’s Atlantic City Line and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service go directly to Philadelphia’s 30th
Street Station. You may also take NJ TRANSIT’s River LINE from Trenton to Camden and transfer to
PATCO.
Special tickets are available for people planning to ride the Atlantic City Rail Line and River LINE as the
lines will operate on a limited schedule only on both days. Customers need to purchase their tickets in
advance of this weekend.
You can buy tickets online at www.njtransit.com, at any River LINE station for River LINE tickets, or at
Atlantic City Rail and Bus terminals for Atlantic City Rail Line tickets.
If you plan to drive, expect heavy congestion and delays. Camden County has made 8,500 parking spaces
available for September 26 and 27 at the Camden Waterfront. These spaces need to be preregistered in
order to secure a space.
For more information and links to other transportation and Papal Visit web sites, go to www.PopeNJ.com.
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